Gov. Ernie Fletcher outlined his “Jobs for Kentucky” tax modernization plan during a public forum in the University Center Ballroom Monday, Jan. 10.

Fletcher said Kentucky needs a fairer and simpler tax system.

His plan hopes to create 7,000 new jobs, reduce the income tax for 98 percent of working Kentuckians and increase the tobacco tax.

Fletcher said he proposed a 26 cent increase in the tobacco tax, but would like to increase it even more. “I think it’s time that we raised the cigarette tax,” he said. “It will help us raise the revenue we need. It will ultimately have some impact on our health.”

Fletcher’s forum was the first of 13 across Kentucky and his only forum in northern Kentucky.